God, I still cringe when I think about my disastrous attempt to “do” Europe five years ago. Five cities, seven days, and about a thousand rushed photos later, I crawled back to London feeling like I needed another holiday just to recover. My feet were blistered, my bank account was gasping, and worst of all I barely remembered half the places I’d visited.
Slow travel is the total opposite of this. For me and so many other travellers, it’s put a stop to the idea of rushing around the world, hitting landmarks like a checklist and returning with blurred memories. Why are we so keen to see multiple places so quickly? Everything about today’s world is fast. Why is travel getting caught up in it all as well?
To really ‘see’ the world, we have to slow down. Here’s how to do it, and affordably.
What Is Slow Travel, Really?
Before you get bored at the thought or even sound of slow travel, we’re not talking snail’s pace. We’re talking a minimum if a week to really get to know a place beyond all the selfie sticks. Ideally, a few weeks. For some, it’s months – though of course, it depends on where you are and what the location can offer.
Somewhere like Paris, for example. It wouldn’t take months to really get a true feel of your surroundings. But many rush from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre to Notre Dame in a single exhausting day. They don’t even consider discovering where there favourite local boulangerie is, or the friendships that could be made.
Slow travel is ultimately the difference between saying ‘I’ve been there’ with a tickbox day, and living like a local would.
Take my experience of Lisbon as an example. Rather than rush through a typical itinerary and all the tourist traps, I stayed in a tiny apartment in the Alfama district for three weeks. By the fifth day, the owner of the little shop on the corner greeted me by name and would give me pointers. Then by week two, an elderly Portugese neighbour invited me to hers, and she taught me her secret bacalhau recipe which even now is a staple at home and always brings back fond memories.
In fact, there are a few core principles slow travel is built upon:
- Cultural immersion – actually meeting the locals
- Sustainability – supporting small businesses
- Savouring unique moments
These are things you won’t get in the common guidebook that drags you into all the crowded, expensive ‘attractions’ that are becoming a far cry from the real beauty of a location.
Why Is Everyone Suddenly Into Slow Travel?
Slow travel isn’t actually new. People have been doing it for ages. But recently, the crave for it is building more so.
This is because quite frankly we’re all a little sick of overtourism. I’d say social media has a lot to do with the overexposure of what once were treasured landmarks that were genuinely appreciated parts of the world. The times I’ve seen influencers rock up, take a photo, and stare at their phones to get it posted. They were there – tickbox complete, content posted. I bet many of them walk away with little to cherish.
For the rest of us, we turn up to these locations and it’s absolutely swarmed, with selfie sticks, a stressed atmosphere, and even scammers cashing in on the hoards of victims.
There’s also the sustainability aspect. I started thinking hard about my carbon footprint after reading that a single long-haul flight produces more CO2 than some people generate in a year in certain countries. That hit me hard. Slow travel means fewer flights and more support for local businesses rather than international chains – something that feels increasingly important as we watch our planet struggle.
The remote work boom has played a massive part too. So many of us can take our work with us these days, so spending lengthier times away while maintaining a professional life is very possible. Plus, productivity rockets when you’re somewhere inspiring as opposed to the kitchen table back home.
Of course, there’s mental health involved. How has everything become so fast and pressured? Feeling burned out after what should be a break is crazy. Slow travel however offers a genuine chance to reset. Spending two weeks in a little Finnish lakeside cabin was like a brain transplant for me, courtesy of the complete absence of tourist “must-dos” hanging over my head – it was heaven.
Fear of missing out becomes the joy of missing out, and finding something better.
How to Start Slow Travelling (Without Quitting Your Job)
Is this slow travelling impossible in reality for you? Absolutely not. Here’s how you can ease into slow travel without drastic life changes.
First, start with a destination that gives you a lot for your money. Places like Chiang Mai in Thailand, certain parts of Portugal, or smaller towns in Eastern Europe offer lower living costs, making it easier to stay longer. My month in Budapest cost about the same as 10 days would have in Paris.
Aim for at least a week, but ideally more. Two weeks is when the benefits of slow travel really come to life – you get past the tourist mindset and begin falling into local rhythms. I use Airbnb for longer stays and always message hosts to negotiate monthly rates, which are almost always discounted.
Shop where locals shop! Find the markets, the family-run cafés, and the places without English menus. This is where you’ll discover a real taste for where you are, and learn more too. These places also help you budget better, because they’re not charging the crazy tourist prices. (You can also make your money last longer by cooking some meals at home.)
Join something local – a cooking class, language exchange, or community event. When I was in Mexico I attended a free weekly salsa class in the town square. I was utterly rubbish, but I met amazing people and laughed more than I had in months.
And remember: don’t be put off by language barriers. You’ll be ok, and you’ll be surprised how well you get on with minimal shared language. Gestures, smiles, Google Translate, and a willingness to look a bit silly go a long way.
Is Slow Travel Really for You?
Slow travel goes against checking off the “top 10 must-sees” and famous landmarks. Instead, you’ll be busy learning to make pasta with a local nonna or spending the afternoon chatting with shopkeepers in a tiny village.
What you get in exchange for missing out on landmark queues and crowds are real stories, genuine connections, and experiences that stay with you long after the holiday tan has faded.
My slow travel experiences haven’t all been perfect. I’ve had moments of loneliness, frustrating language mix-ups, and days where I questioned why I wasn’t just on a nice, easy package holiday. But even the challenging moments taught me something – about the place, about the culture, or about myself.
I promise you’ll come back with something far more valuable than a camera roll full of landmark photos. You’ll come back with stories, recipes, maybe even friendships – and a completely new way of seeing the world.